Hey Woofa’s,

Yes it’s that time of year where everyone keeps going on about how close Christmas is and it’s annoying!!!!

Sticking your head in the sand and ignoring it, won’t make it go away though.  Christmas is coming whether you want it or not!!!

We’re just trying to get as organised as we can so it doesn’t become that big headache everyone seems to think it is.

WHAT’S THIS GOT TO DO WITH MY DOGS?

Well if you’re heading away, or have to travel to see family etc – Have you made plans for your dog??

AND yes you really need to start making arrangements NOW.

Before deciding on what to do with your dogs, there are some things you need to take into consideration first.

1. Can you take the dogs with you;
2. Do they fret/stress when you’re away;
3. Are they ok with strangers;
4. Are they friendly with other dogs;
5. Do they get destructive when left alone for long periods of time;
6. Do they hate thunderstorms and fireworks;
7. Do they have medications that need to be taken regularly;
8. Do they need regular exercise;
9. Do they have special dietary needs;
10. Do you know someone who is responsible and has dogs of their own?

For Example – When we go away, my friend (who has her own dog and is a dog lover through and through) will come to our house and look after Billy for us.  I trust her completely because she’d make the same decisions I would regarding Billy.

She visits with us all the time so he’s always happy to see her and he knows her.

She feeds him, plays with him and gives him company while we’re away.  Each time we’ve come back Billy has no signs of having fretted for us or anything.

He’s also fine with thunderstorms and fireworks and he doesn’t get destructive when left for long periods of time.

HOWEVER, the idea of taking Billy out of his comfort area and putting him in any boarding kennel with people I don’t know,  stresses me out.   I’m sure Billy would hate it.

So the answer to the above questions for us is to leave him in his own safe environment and have someone who is trusted and reliable come in everyday and look after him.  It helps that she’s only a 5 minute drive away too.

We haven’t really been anywhere yet where we can take Billy with us.

ALTHOUGH, Dean’s parents have a caravan down the South Coast and it’s a dog friendly park so we’ll keep you posted on that one.

My idea of sharing this with you is to get you thinking about what the best option is for you and your dogs, while you’re away.

TAKING YOUR DOGS WITH YOU CHECK LIST!

• Does the place you’re going to have sufficient facilities for dogs;
• Have you double checked that YES YOU CAN TAKE YOUR DOG;
• Will your dogs be safe if you leave them at the holiday place and go out for dinner etc;
• Have you checked if there are any specific rules and regulations at the place regarding your dog and their behaviour or sleeping requirements etc;
• Will you have to crate your dog or yard your dog;
• Have your dogs got protection from the environment they’re going to i.e. flea treatments, tick treatments, regular injections up-to-date;
• Are you aware of the consequences if there’s any accidental destruction done by your dog of someone else’s property;
• Is there an appropriate area for your dog to toilet and you to keep the area clean;
• Are there going to be kids around, what are you dogs like with kids;
• Will other dogs be around and if so, how close in proximity to your dog;
• Will your dogs be reactive to other dogs who may be staying in the same area;
• Be aware of the leashed and off leash areas of where you are going;
• Will there be someone who can always be with your dog;
• To make sure your dog has a safe comfortable time, take their bed, water/feed dishes, favourite toys and blankets etc from home;
• What’s the weather like where you’re going, will there be sufficient ways to keep them cool or warm;
• Be vigilant and all will have a happy holiday.

These are just a few things to get you thinking about whether to take your dogs with your or not.

If you’re staying with family you need to be aware of some of these things and most importantly check with the family you’re staying with and work out if it would be a good idea whether to take your dogs to their place or not.

LEAVING YOUR DOGS AT A BOARDING KENNEL CHECK LIST!

• How far in advance do you need to book;
• Are they a reputable organisation;
• Check for reviews;
• What does their pricing cover exactly;
• Have you checked out the facilities yourself, gone and visited and had a look around and viewed where your dogs would actually be sleeping, exercising etc;
• How much of the facility did they let you look at;
• Did the place seem over crowded, how close where the sleeping areas to other dogs etc;
• How much interaction and exercise away from the kennel will your dogs have;
• Who is in charge of feeding, can you take your own food for them;
• Can you leave their own leads, collars, bedding, bowls, toys for them to play with;
• What are their policies and procedures if something happens to your dog while in their care;
• What was the cleanliness of the place like;
• Is there appropriate areas for changes in weather, if it’s too hot plenty of shade and water if cold areas to keep warm etc;
• Is someone at the facility 24/7, what if your dog is scared of loud noises and no-one is around;
• How many dogs does the facility hold, and how many dogs per person;
• Are the areas secure, fencing not falling over, it’s nice and secure not too low so one could jump over, or get out of and run onto road etc;
• Is there a vet on site;
• If your dog needs to have medications given, who would be doing that;
• Do they have grooming facilities on site;
• Remember also, it is your duty of care to your dogs to let the facility know everything and anything about your dogs;
• Can you call in and check on your dogs; will they send you updated pictures of them while you’re away;
• Go with what your gut tells you about the people and the place.

First and foremost you want to make sure your dogs are going to be cared for and are comfortable while you are away.

ALWAYS leave your itinerary and emergency numbers behind, as well as any numbers for the dogs i.e vet numbers, medications, another person in case they can’t reach you etc.

LEAVING YOUR DOGS AT HOME WITH SOMEONE TO LOOK AFTER THEM CHECK LIST!

• Is the person a trusted friend or from a company that specialises in looking after pets;
• What is that person like around dogs in general and more specifically around your dogs;
• How do they act around your dogs;
• Are they loving, do they really really care about your dog’s welfare;
• How do your dogs respond to this person;
• Will this person pretty much treat your dogs as if they were their own;
• Does this person follow instructions;
• How close does this person live to you;
• Will this person send you doggy pics while you’re on holidays? (This makes a huge difference & allows you to relax & stop worrying about them while you’re away).
• What is your gut telling you;
• Do you trust this person;
• How well will they look after your home if they are house sitting or just calling in;
• If person is from a company what are their policies and procedures, are they insured, what if a vet needs to be called etc;
• How far away are they from your house;
• Do they have doggy smarts, can they tell if your dog wasn’t well or had a change in behaviour etc;
• Do they have their own dogs;
• Why are they doing this job?

If you’re still not sure, have the person do a trial run over a weekend period.

ALWAYS leave your itinerary and emergency numbers behind, as well as any numbers for the dogs i.e vet numbers, medications, another person in case they can’t reach you etc.

YOUR FUR KIDS GOING TO A TRUSTED PERSON’S HOUSE CHECK LIST!

It comes down to TRUST.  If you’re thinking of leaving your fur kids with someone else, then ask the following: –

• Does this person have their own pets;
• If not, how will they go with your dogs in their yard/house;
• How do they treat their pets;
• How do all the pets get on;
• If all the pets are friendly and play, what are they like at feeding time;
• Is this person’s yard secure;
• Are there things in this yard that could harm your dogs;
• Will this person allow your dogs inside (if they’re inside dogs);
• Will they feed your dogs how you do;
• Is there sufficient water bowls around;
• What’s the deal if your dog’s are destructive in their yard;
• Is this person going to charge you, what are their fees;
• Where will your dogs sleep;
• What happens if there’s loud noises and thunderstorms;
• Give this person all your instructions and see how they respond!

If you’re unsure of this, definitely have a trial.  Take your dogs around to this persons place and stay there for a few hours just too see how it all goes.

And if it does work then, try it over night.

It’s definitely best to do trial runs, well before your departure date.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

If you’re going away for Christmas, have you made plans for YOUR dogs?

Go through the check-lists and see what will work best for YOUR dogs.

Going away unprepared will cause you and your dogs unnecessary stress.

Everyone wants to have fun on holidays, make sure you’ve set it up so your dogs do too.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – HAVE YOU MADE HOLIDAY PLANS FOR YOUR DOGS?

Cheers